In the fall of 1997, the president and publisher of It's About Time, Wilma E. Clopton, Ph.D, became involved in promoting a luncheon focusing on breast cancer. As a result, she discovered that breast cancer, the most common cancer among women, is the last thing women talk about. This isn't a hidden story of the past but a common occurrence of the present. Mothers don't talk to their daughters, sisters don't talk to sisters and women don't talk to other women about their breast cancer. A lack of understanding transcends racial, economical, cultural and educational lines.

According to The AMC Cancer Research Center, in 1997, 180,200 new cases of breast cancer were expected to be discovered and 43,000 women were expected to die. Further information indicates that the incidence and mortality from breast cancer increases with age. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women between the ages of 40 and 55.

As Dr. Clopton continued her research efforts, she discovered more information concerning the severity of other illnesses which impact the African American Community. Statistically, the profile of the number of African Americans suffering from various illnesses was similar across the board . . . HIGH. The health problems which plagued the community in greater numbers seemed to be the result of various reasons (such as a lack of insurance, access or information or a general distrust of the medical community).

Out of this concern grew the concept of a monthly health publication targeted towards the African American Community. It's About Time. It's purpose is to connect the African American Community with health resources and to develop a support system to improve the quality of life in the African American Community. With a distribution of 100,000 copies, It's About Time will reach the community through churches, health care facilities, grocery stores, universities and other key facilities.

It's About Time will also develop workshops, forums and speaker bureaus in cooperation with other groups to provide information. Let's come together. Let's talk about it. Let's do something. It's About Time.